SSB rescues 59 children from traffickers in Bihar, 13 arrested

Patna: At least 59 children have been rescued and 13 traffickers arrested by the border guarding force Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) from Raxaul and Muzaffarpur railway stations in Bihar.

Representational image. Reuters

The children were freed late on Saturday when the SSB launched a special operation with the help from NGOs and intercepted the traffickers at the Mumbai-bound Jansadharan Express train, a senior SSB official said.

A total of 59 children, aged between 9-16 years and hailing from East and West Champaran districts of Bihar and a few from Sitamarhi and Nepal were rescued from the clutches of the traffickers, the official said.

"They were being trafficked to work in factories in Mumbai. Over 60 SSB personnel apart from NGO workers were involved in the operation. 13 people who were trafficking them have also been apprehended," the official said.

SSB is deployed in the area to guard the international Indo-Nepal border.